Original Source: www.ice.gov
In 2003, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Program, creating specialized teams aimed at addressing human rights violations more effectively. By 2008, the establishment of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center signaled a collaborative governmental strategy focused on identifying and prosecuting war criminals and abusers residing in the U.S. Over the past 15 years, this initiative has played a crucial role in ensuring the U.S. does not become a refuge for human rights offenders.
Mark Shaffer, Unit Chief of the Center, highlights that the team has significantly expanded from six members to over 50, dedicated to this important mission. With support from ICE leadership, personnel have been trained throughout various legal offices and special agents. Enhanced legislation has bolstered their efforts, and despite ongoing global conflicts, the team remains resolute in pursuing justice for victims of serious offenses such as genocide and torture.
Leveraging the expertise of agents, lawyers, and historians, the Center works closely with partners like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit. Their efforts directly support the Department of Homeland Security’s mission, protecting national security against threats posed by human rights violators through initiatives like the No Safe Haven Initiative, which prevents such individuals from finding refuge in the United States.
Over its 15-year journey, the Center has generated over 75,000 records of individuals from 110 countries, successfully blocking 260 suspected abusers from entering the U.S. Its efforts have led to the removal of 908 known or suspected offenders and the arrests of over 410 individuals for legal violations related to human rights abuses. The Center is currently involved in more than 135 criminal investigations, tracking down suspects from 95 countries and diligently pursuing justice for victims.
Significant cases highlight the Center’s achievements, including the conviction of Charles Taylor, Jr., sentenced to 97 years for acts of torture in Liberia. Furthermore, figures like Carlos Vides-Casanova and José Garcia were removed from the U.S. for their involvement in heinous acts during El Salvador’s civil war, including the torture of four American churchwomen. The Center’s tireless commitment ensures accountability for gross human rights abuses, earning recognition, including the Anti-Defamation League’s SHIELD award from 2015 to 2018, as a testament to their unwavering dedication to justice.
The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Program was founded to combat the rising threats posed by human rights abusers within the U.S. This initiative reflects a broader commitment from the U.S. government to uphold human rights and ensure perpetrators of severe crimes such as genocide and torture are held accountable. By collaborating with various governmental and legal agencies, the center enhances the investigation and removal process of such offenders, promoting national security and justice for victims.
The 15-year journey of ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center exemplifies a steadfast commitment to justice, ensuring that individuals guilty of serious human rights violations cannot evade the law by hiding within the U.S. Through collaboration, investigative efforts, and the guidance of dedicated personnel, the Center continues to work tirelessly against the scourge of human rights abuses, holding accountable those responsible and reinforcing America’s position as a stronghold against injustice.
